Welcome to our comprehensive guide on converting the Epson XP-15000 printer from its standard form into a versatile sublimation or Direct to Film (DTF) machine. I'm Kevin, and I've received numerous emails from all of you, asking for a step-by-step tutorial on this conversion process. Well, today is your lucky day because I've compiled all the necessary information and videos to guide you from start to finish.

Before we dive in, I must mention that my ultimate goal is to convert this printer into a DT F printer with a white ink management system, alongside replacing the cartridges with dampers. If you're as excited as I am about this, make sure to subscribe to my channel, so you'll be the first to know when I achieve that milestone.

Prerequisite: XP-15000 Printer

First things first, let's discuss how to acquire the Epson XP-15000 printer. I highly recommend searching for "Epson certified refurbished" on Google and purchasing directly from Epson. A brand new Epson 15000 is priced at $399, but be cautious when buying from Amazon, as there's a chance you might end up with a used printer instead of a new one. To avoid any risks, search for Epson refurbished on their website, and you'll find the printer listed for $299 – a hundred dollars cheaper. Buying this way ensures you receive the full Epson warranty. However, if you insist on getting a brand new printer, simply search for "XP-15000 printer" on Google, and you'll find various sellers, including Epson, Best Buy, and Staples, offering it for around $399. Remember, avoiding Amazon is key in this case.

Step 1. Chipless Conversion

Now that we have our printer, let's proceed to configure it in a way that it no longer requires the computer chips on the cartridges. This process, known as making it "chipless," involves visiting the website inkchip.net (remember, it's .net, not .com) and clicking on the "soft" option at the top. On the row labeled XP 15,000, click on the "firmware" column to download the firmware file to your PC. Please note that you'll need a PC to run this process. Once the file is downloaded (usually found in your Downloads folder), decompress it using software like 7-zip or WinRAR. Run the software from the decompressed folder, then turn on your printer and connect it to your PC using a USB cable. Unfortunately, wireless connection won't work in this case. If your printer doesn't appear on the screen, it may be because you forgot to install the Epson driver. To resolve this, search for the Epson XP-15000 driver on the official Epson website. Be sure to download only the driver, not the firmware. Install the driver, plug in the printer via USB, and now it should appear on the screen. Click "OK" and allow the program to run, keeping an eye out for the message "Waiting for the printer to restart" in the process.

Once the printer restarts, you'll see a prompt on the printer screen. Later on, the printer will restart again and prompt you to install ink cartridges. Don't worry if you haven't installed them yet. At this point, the firmware is chipless, but it still needs to be activated. Go back to your computer and check if the program displays the firmware version as confirmed. Once you see this message, you can close the program as it's no longer needed. It may display an error message during the installation, but don't worry about it. Next, return to inkchip.net and click on the activation column. Download the activation software, which will automatically update itself the first time you run it. After the update, the program will close. Go back to your Downloads folder, run the program again, and ensure it now shows the newest version. Check if your printer appears on the USB dropdown list. If it doesn't, it means you haven't installed the driver yet. Remember, the driver is essential for proper functionality. The activation program will ask for an activation code, which you can obtain by clicking on the "Buy" section of inkchip.net. If you've been provided a discount coupon, enter it at this stage. Once you've completed the purchase, you'll receive the activation code almost instantly. In case you don't receive the code within 10 minutes, contact their support team at support@inkchip.net for assistance. Copy the activation code from the bottom text box and save it as a text file. This code serves as a recovery option if you accidentally override the chipless firmware. Now, restart your printer, and you'll notice that all the ink levels are full. Congratulations! You've successfully turned your printer into a chipless one.

Step 2. Relocate the CSIC PCB Board

In the initial stage, we're going to focus on relocating the CSIC board. Start by removing the duplexer and the paper tray. You'll need a good reference guide here; we recommend visiting bchtechnologies.com and searching for XP-15000. There, you'll find a comprehensive workflow sheet, including the mainboard wiring and printhead removal details.

We start with the right side of the printer. Employ a flathead screwdriver to remove the cover and the two screws – one on each side. The next step is to remove the long bar. Following this, the left side panel will have to be detached by removing two screws, one in the back and one on the bottom. The same procedure is then repeated for the right side.

The printhead carriage needs to be freed next. This can be done by turning the gear counterclockwise using a screwdriver on the right side. You'll then need to remove all the cartridges and the CSIC board, which reads information from the cartridge. The board will have to be relocated to avoid any potential ink leaks during sublimation and DTF printing.

To safeguard your printhead from any debris during the modification, cover it with a piece of plastic. Remove two screws from the plastic guard securing the printhead carriage. Once the guard is off, you can disconnect the cable and remove the assembly containing the CSIC board.

Next, the PCB board will need to be uncovered. After removing the two middle screws on the assembly and the springs attached to the guard, you'll have clear access to the PCB board. Reverse these steps to reassemble.

At this point, it's time to reattach the cable to the CSIC board. Use a plastic bag to wrap the board and conceal it in the gap between the power supply box and the front panel.

Step 3. Waterproof the Printhead

As we move forward to the next step, waterproofing the printhead, remember to keep a focus on precision. You're dealing with delicate parts here. Remove the cover on the printhead to reveal two screws. After removing these, the printhead can be lifted.

The next part involves a visit to bchtechnologies.com, where you'll need to purchase a printhead cover guard. Additionally, you'll also require silicon gel to waterproof the sensor on the printhead. Apply the silicon gel evenly around the sensor, making sure not to cover the black sensor itself. Once the sensor is waterproofed, you can reinstall the guard and the two outer screws.

Now, direct your attention to the CSIC assembly. The cable that was detached earlier should be reattached to the CSIC board. Once done, you can put the paper guard back.

Step 4. Printhead Alignment, Install External Waste Ink Tank, Remove Star Wheel or Pizza Wheel

After working on the printhead, you'll need to align your printer. This can be done by selecting the "printhead alignment" option in your printer settings. Conduct a vertical alignment first, followed by a horizontal one. It's a good practice to print a color checker to ensure all colors are correctly aligned.

With the alignment in place, it's time to install an external ink tank. You can find the necessary equipment on bchtechnologies.com. After securing the ink tank to your printer casing with Velcro, you can focus on removing the star wheels (also known as pizza wheels). This step is optional, but it helps to avoid wheel marks if the ink isn't fully absorbed. These steps are shown in the following video.